Powerhouse brush springs
 

Looking to replace the brush springs in a 5 brush powerhouse generator. Does anyone have a source?

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

What is wrong with your's? I haven't had any that were weak, but have seen some that were too rusty to use. I wonder if Bert's would have some? 800-321-1931

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

i may have one or two, i will have to look
John

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Are yours missing? Are they bad. Use 'em you can.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Piowerhouse was working fine for 12 years until a few weeks ago . Now when the engine runs at 600rpm or so it puts out 6.8 v at 5 amps, all ok, but run the engine at 1000rpm and the voltage drops to 0. Dykes Encyclopedia 1936 suggests springs may be weak. Any other ideas would be appreciated.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

put in a new set of brushes, run some fine emery paper along the commutator, and file the points on the cutout
John

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Brushes were replaced about 1000 miles ago. I run a nu rex regulator but take voltage readings from the generator stud no the cutout.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Move your 5 the brush, that should increase the charging rate, tuning some emery cloth over the commentator should help to.
John

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Here is a picture of a 5 brush holder and one of the springs removed to show it in the relaxed position. Notice the spring will uncoil about 3/8" when it's removed. This one needs to have the rust removed, then I'll reblue the springs and plate the steel parts.

Sometimes the ground brush spring post will not have a good connection to the steel frame. The fix for this is to scrape the base of the post and the steel next to it and use a good sized soldering gun to solder them together.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

If you find you have to replace any springs, I have some extra original springs and some other parts. Send me a PM and I will give you my e-mail address so we can communicate directly.

Ron

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Take a look at the undercut between the commutator segments. If it's undercut at least .005" then it should be fine, but if the insulating material is even with the commutator bars, then it may be keeping the brushes from having good contact. Also check for sticking brushes. I've seen that problem a couple times in the past few months.

Also check each of the twisted wire connections between the 6 field coils. I use a battery charger to run 6 volts through the coils and they should use about 1 1/2 amps for the 5 brush field and about 2 amps for the 3 brush powerhouse. I recently had a problem with one where the twisted wire made connection when I tested it but sometimes didn't have output. The wire was broken at the base of the twist, and while it made connection most of the time, sometimes it didn't. There was enough wire to scrape it clean and solder it, so the fix was easy.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

And if you sand/level your commutator with emery cloth, keep in mind that emery is conductive: you'll want to undercut the commutator slightly (to clean out that dust) or at least get your toothbrush out and floss that area between bars.

Joe K

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Where can you get new brushes?

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

The only place I've seen lately are the brush sets on ebay.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Little Dearborn has them, and I think macs has them

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Ron:

Do you still have the five brushes for the Powerhouse?

moasew

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

moasew,

Sorry gave the last set to John LaVoy.

Ron

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

Chuck has 3 & 5 brush:

https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showthread.php?t=179529

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

I see powerhouse brushes show up at times on ebay, but the price is up to about $20.

I bought some plain brushes that I hope to cut to powerhouse size, but I'd still need the wire and terminals for them. Save your old brushes for the wires and terminals.

Re: Powerhouse brush springs
 

call little dearborn in Minneapolis, they have NOS ones and around 15 a set 612 331 2066